Yutaro Tsukada positioned for breakout with Orlando City SC this season | OneFootball

Orlando City SC forward Yutaro Tsukada is positioned for a breakout season in 2025.

A breakout 2025 season in MLS is in the works for Orlando City SC forward Yutaro Tsukada. The team can use it. Not only that – but the striker earned it with an explosive opening on the pitch for Orlando City B.

After 22 matches with the young club, Tsukada earned an Honorable Mention on the MLS NEXT Pro League Best 11 squad.

He contributed seven goals and seven assists in the Orlando City B campaign, which ended fifth in the Eastern Conference.

In the postseason, Tsukada got his eighth assist when striker Jack Lynn scored against No. 4 Chicago Fire II. The team was eventually eliminated in a penalty kick shootout.

During the season, Orlando City scouts and coaches on the senior club saw enough. They signed Tsukada to a first-team contract on Aug. 15 and he appeared in three matches during the regular season.

He was the first West Virginia University player ever to get selected in the MLS SuperDraft when Orlando selected him in the first round in 2023. Scouts and coaches studying Tsukada’s university performance expected an impact from the beginning and got it.

At West Virginia, he showed effectiveness both as a left-winger and center-forward. He demonstrated pro-level passing skills including during his limited appearances with the senior team.

Tsukada finished the 2024 season with a contract through next season. The club has options through 2027.

Orlando City SC v Sporting Kansas City | Bill Barrett/ISI Photos/GettyImages

When he signed his contract, Orlando was seventh in the Eastern Conference. He trained with the players during a challenging period in the Lions' season and worked with players who met all the challenges.

They finished the season fourth in the Eastern Conference and threatened to win the conference championship. So Tsukada learned how to thrive and win in the league.

Orlando City SC knows Yutaro Tsukada can compete and win in MLS. He’ll get the call to help the team make it to the league championship in 2025.